Types of Tense
Category : 7th Class
The Tense is divided into three categories. They are the following:
Present Tense
It expresses an action or event that takes place in the present time. Present Tense is divided into four categories. They are the following:
Present Indefinite or Simple Present
This tense is used to express the habitual actions which is truths, planned activities, quotations and to put questions. This tense shows an action done in general way in the present time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'revolves' and 'takes' show an action done in general way in the present time. They do not say whether the action is complete or incomplete. These verbs are in Present Indefinite Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: You go to school at 8 PM.
Example: The earth moves round the sun.
Present Continuous Tense
The Present Continuous Tense is used to express an action or event that is taking place right now. This tense shows an action which is going on (or continuing) at the time of speaking.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'is pursuing' and 'are pleading' show an action which is going on or continuing at the time of speaking (in present time). These verbs are in Present Continuous Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: The kids are watching TV.
Example: Priyanka is studying really hard for her exam this week.
Example: We are going on holiday next week.
Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Tense is used to express the actions just completed, put questions and past actions whose time is not specific. Present Perfect Tense shows an action started in the past and completed at the time of speaking (in present time).
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'has visited' and 'have raised' show an action started in the past and completed at the time of speaking (in present time). These verbs are in Present Perfect Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: He has just left for the station.
Example: We have accomplished the task.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Present Perfect Continuous Tense shows an action that started at some time in the past and is continuing in the present time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'has been living' and 'has been coming' show an action that started at some time in the past and is continuing in the present time. These verbs are in Present Perfect Continuous Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: Steve has been trying to solve this problem for 5 hours. You have been learning English since January.
Past Tense
When a verb indicates a completed action it is known as Past Tense. Past Tense shows an action done in the past time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'played', 'was laughing', 'had talked' and 'had been watching' show an action of past time. These verbs are said to be in the Past Tense.
Past Indefinite Tense
Past Indefinite Tense is used to express past habits, completed actions and put questions. It also shows an action done in general way in the past time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'took' and 'taught' show an action completed in the past time. These verbs are in Past Indefinite Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: The train left the station at 6 AM.
Example: He used to ride bike with great speed in his young age.
Past Continuous Tense
The Past Continuous Tense is used to express the continuity of some past actions and to put questions. This tense shows an action going on at some time in the past and not completed.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'was marching' and 'was uploading' show an action going on at some time in the past. Here the action is incomplete. The time of action may or may not be indicated. These verbs are in Past Continuous Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: We were appearing in the exam.
Example: The leader was always sleeping.
Past Perfect Tense
The Past Perfect Tense is used to express two earlier actions, completion of past actions and to put questions. It shows an action which had been completed before another action took place.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'had left' and 'had delivered' show that the action had been completed before another action took place. Here the earlier action takes Past Perfect Tense. These verbs are in Past Perfect Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: The college had closed before the students returned from the picnic.
Example: Steve met Smith in London in 2010. He had seen him five year ago.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Past Perfect Continuous Tense shows an action starting before a certain point in the past and continuing up to that time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'had been opposing' and 'had been progressing' show an action that began before a certain point in the past and continuing up to that time. These verbs are in Past Perfect Continuous Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: Dr. James had been working in two hospitals when he joined the third one.
Future Tense
In Future Tense, a verb indicates that an action will take place in future. Future Tense shows an action to be done in future (coming) time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will write', 'will be writing', 'will have written' and 'will have been written' show an action to be done in the future. These verbs are said to be in the Future Tense.
Future Indefinite Tense
The Future Indefinite Tense is used to express a supposed action, determination and to put questions. This tense shows an action to be done in general way in the future time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will dispose' and 'will reconsider' show an action to be done in the future time. These verbs are in Future Indefinite Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: He will file a compensation case in the court.
Example: It is hot. I will drink cold water.
Future Continuous Tense
The Future Continuous Tense is used to indicate the continuity of a supposed action, possible actions or to put questions. This tense shows an action going on at some time in the future.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will be working' and 'will be leaving for' show an action going on at some time in the future. These verbs are in Future Continuous Tense
Points to keep in mind
Example: We think, he will be playing when we start.
Example: Steve will be visiting India for a week.
Future Perfect Tense
The Future Perfect Tense is used to indicate the completion of a supposed action or an action that starts earlier but still continues. This tense shows an action to be completed before another action takes place in future time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will have bought' and 'will have finished' show an action which will be completed by a certain time in future. Here the earlier future action takes Future Perfect Tense and the subsequent action takes Simple Present Tense. These verbs are in Future perfect Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: She will have reached there by 9 a.m.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Future Perfect Continuous Tense shows an action in progress for a period of time in the future.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will have been teaching' and 'will have been studying' show an action in progress over a period of time in the future. These verbs are in Future Perfect Continuous Tense.
Points to keep in mind
Example: We will have been going to the USA for a month.
Fill in the blanks with suitable forms of verbs given in the brackets.
The Prime Minister _________ (leave for) Japan tomorrow.
(A) Was leaving for
(B) Will leave for
(C) Has left for
(D) Has been leaving for
(E) I have written a letter
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Prime Minister will leave for Japan tomorrow.
Dhoni ______________ (lead) the team for five years.
(A) Is leading
(B) Has led
(C) Has been leading
(D) Will lead
(E) He paints a picture
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Dhoni has been leading the team for five years.
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